IAALS CEO Announces Resignation, Brownstein, Holland & Hart Add One

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Law Firm Updates

Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, a national firm founded in Denver, announced on May 10 that Kayla Dreyer joined its Denver office as a shareholder in the litigation department. Dreyer maintains a commercial litigation practice on trade secrets, non-compete, non-solicit and employee mobility disputes, as well as traditional labor and employment issues. The University of Texas School of Law graduate works with clients across the country in a wide range of industries. 


Holland & Hart announced on May 11 that Eben Clark joined the firm’s Boulder office as of counsel in the real estate, development and finance practice. The University of Colorado Law School graduate counsels on utility-scale renewable energy, telecommunications infrastructure, debt finance, and resort development projects and represents developers, landowners and lenders in real estate development and acquisitions. Eben practiced law in several Colorado resort towns and worked as assistant county attorney to Routt County before joining Holland & Hart. 

On May 11, Van Ness Feldman LLP announced Laura Jones, an attorney with the firm’s Native Affairs practice, was promoted to of counsel. Jones earned her J.D. from Michigan State University College of Law with an Indigenous Law Certificate and works on a range of American Indian law matters including economic development, federal regulation, environmental compliance, federal-tribal consultation, commercial lending and civil litigation. Jones is based out of Tulsa, Oklahoma and works with Van Ness Feldman’s Denver office. 

The Judiciary 

The Seventh Judicial District Nominating Commission announced on May 10 an upcoming vacancy for a Montrose County judge. The vacancy will be created by the resignation of Judge Bennett Morris, effective July 2. Applications are due by May 27 for consideration. 

On May 12, the Colorado Judicial Branch announced finalists for an upcoming vacancy in the Fourth Judicial District covering El Paso and Teller Counties. The district court opening is created by the retirement of Judge Deborah Grohs on June 30. The three nominees selected by the Fourth Judicial District Nominating Commission are Monica Gomez and Amanda Philipps, both from Colorado Springs, and Theodore McClintock from Woodland Park. Gov. Jared Polis must appoint the position by May 27. 

Odds & Ends

On May 12, the Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System announced that CEO David Yellen resigned. Yellen will leave later in May to take over as dean at the University of Miami School of Law. Before joining IAALS, the research center at the University of Denver that looks to improve the U.S. justice system, Yellen previously worked in legal education and said in a statement that he enjoyed his time in Denver but looks forward to returning to academia. Long-time IAALS director Brittany Kauffman will take over as interim CEO.

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